Social centre loses Roberts Street digs

A group of community volunteers and artists is looking for cheap new digs.

After seven years, the Roberts Street Social Centre is losing its space. The group received notice early this month that as of May 1, their lease at 5684 Roberts Street will not be renewed.

"Obviously we’re looking to find a new home in the north end, but with increases in rent on the peninsula, . . . we’re looking for some support and suggestions from the community at large about spaces that we might not have seen," said member and graphic designer Emily Davidson.

"Our current space is only about 800 square feet. . . . We’re looking at this as an opportunity . . . to expand the space that we currently run and have a bit more room to play with. . . . That’s the dream."

The centre operates a zine library, a screen printing studio, a residency program, a community space for workshops, movie screenings and meetings, and a community low-cost photocopier.

Initially, the centre started as a zine library operated by two women in their house, but as folks moved out of the house, the community and various projects moved in.

When one roommate moved out, her bedroom became the screen printing studio, Davidson said. When the other roommate moved out, the group set up office and meeting space in the house.

Besides a variety of workshops, the centre also holds regular dinner-and-a-movie events and rents out space.

"We operate on a budget that is about $34,000 a year. It’s pretty bare-bones," Davidson said.

The centre receives a number of small project grants and brings in operational funding through workshops and studio rentals.

Anyone with suggestions for a new location or financial support is asked to contact the centre at info@robertsstreet.org.